Ernest H. Scholz, Jr., lifelong area resident and farmer, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the Whitman Hospital in Colfax. He was 89. Ernest was born on August 11, 1930 to Katharine (Anderson) and Ernest H. Scholz, Sr. in Colfax.

Ernie attended grades one through three at the Diamond School. Around that time, the Scholz family moved to Colfax where Ernie attended the Colfax Grade School (Martha Washington) and Colfax High School. During his High School years, he was active in sports playing football, basketball, wrestling and track. He earned his letterman's sweater, which is still proudly hanging in the closet. He was also chosen by the Kiwanis Club as an outstanding high school student and thus was sent to Boys' State, sponsored by the American Legion. He graduated in 1948.

Ernie enlisted in the Navy Submarine Corp February 1949. He received his recruit training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. He served aboard the USS Blenny submarine with the Pacific Fleet. After returning from the Navy, he worked for the Colfax Creamery delivering dairy products to their many suppliers in the county. In 1952 he began farming the Home Place near Diamond with his dad. He also drove school bus for the Colfax School District.

He met his wife, Dorla Dean (Bohner) Scholz, from Santa Monica, California, while she was visiting a friend in Colfax. They were married in 1956 and had two sons, Kevin and Curtis. Ernie enjoyed fishing and hunting in his spare time. He was definitely an outdoor person. He was a member of the Elks' Club and a 50-year member of the North-South Palouse Grange. He did a lot of traveling with his wife. They visited Hawaii several times, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, The Bahamas, Caribbean, Fiji Isles, Barbados, St. Thomas, many areas in Europe, and various places in the states.

He is survived by his wife, Dorla Dean Scholz, two sons Kevin (Tami) and Curtis (Tina); five grandchildren, Andrew, Erin, Rick, Brian, and Katelyn; and one great-grandchild, Boone.

Friends may call at Bruning Funeral Home Tuesday through Thursday from 9 to 5. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 30 ^th , at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church followed by a reception. The interment will be private to the family at the Colfax Cemetery. The family suggests memorial gifts be to St. Patrick's Church, 1018 S. Main St. Colfax, WA. 99111 or to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 911 W. 5 ^th Ave., Spokane, WA. 99204.